My lovely guest-poster Jane of Deluminators is back with another great travel piece – this time about visiting somewhere new and how not to loose your shit once you get there. Read on to hear her pattern for how best to navigate a new city for the best results (and check out these past posts for more travel tips!)
– Rae
It can be kind of overwhelming when you visit somewhere new, and you don’t know where to start to take it all in. I’ve kind of developed a pattern in what I like to do when I visit a new city – it’s usually some combination of the below.
1. A walking tour
I love a walking tour for seeing the city. I usually do one as my first activity in a new place. They’re good for a number of reasons – you can get oriented to the layout of the city, you get the history of important sites explained, you can get tips from your guide, and you can meet other visitors. Many bigger cities have “free” walking tours, where you pay what you think the tour was worth.
2. Museums
It may be because I’m a huge nerd, but I love visiting museums in each city I go to. My favourite ones are the modern art museums and history/culture museums. Of course, there are museums you can’t leave a city without visiting, like the British Museum or Egyptian Museum.
3. Vantage point
Absolutely one of my favourite things to do in a new city. There’s something exhilarating about seeing a place from above. One of my most Googled phrases when travelling is “best view of [insert city name]”, but it’s even better when you accidentally stumble across one. Some of my favourite ones are here, but the list is in need of an update.
4. Traditional food
I love a trendy burger, but I want to try some traditionally local food as well. This may or may not be at a restaurant that’s rated highly on Tripadvisor and thus crammed with foreigners, but seeing as I’m one of them I’m not about to get haughty about it. I like asking the walking tour guide (if I’ve been on one) for tips on where to go.
5. The old town
If the city has an “old town”, I’m there. I love the older parts of cities, especially in Europe, as they generally involve cobblestones and laneways and beautiful buildings. Cameras out!
6. Getting lost
Sometimes it pays off to just wonder around, turn down interesting streets and see what you bump into. Some people don’t see a point in doing that, but I just sling my camera over my shoulder (as long as it’s safe to do so) and let that lead me, because I’m that person taking photos of random doors. Just make sure you’re not wandering into any areas that are too dodgy.
The first ever LFB Q&A. Ask me anything.
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